Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Topic Review

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a device widely available in public which acts to defibrillate (cardiovert) a patient out of serious heart rhythm disorders, frequently ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

AEDs are now seen throughout many public places, including airports and shopping malls. They are designed so that the normal, non-medically trained individual will be able to operate the device in the event of a cardiac arrest. Early defibrillation during cardiac arrest is crucial to reduce mortality and anoxic brain injury.

Enlarge   

According to the American Heart Association, AEDs are used in 10.2% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests that occur in public, and approximately 90% of patients with cardiac arrest who receive an AED shock within the first minute survive.

Sudden cardiac death is most commonly seen in the setting of myocardial infarction and is related to the rhythm ventricular fibrillation. Sudden cardiac death from hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), congenital coronary anomalies or commotio cordis can occur in young athletes, and thus most schools have an AED present at sporting events.

Note that implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are implanted forms of an AED and are much smaller. These have varying indications; however, in general, are used in individuals at high risk for sudden cardiac death.

Reference:

• American Heart Association. https://cpr.heart.org/-/media/CPR-Files/Training-Programs/AED-Implementation/2023-updates/AED-fact-sheet-Feb-2023.pdf. Published February 2023. Accessed Oct. 2, 2023.